Title
Resolution to Award a Contract with The Ecology Center Inc., for In-School Recycling Education ($89,316.00 for year one; $91,995.00 for year two; $94,755.00 for year three) (RFP No. 923)
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve a one-year contract with an option for one two-year renewal with the Ecology Center, Inc., for In-School Recycling Educational Services. The City has contracted for youth outreach presentations since 1982. Through this contract, Ann Arbor-based teachers will be able to select from eight environmental program options, which are geared to different subject areas and age-levels.
The City issued RFP No. 923, which was promoted to educational groups and environmental consultants, and was posted on BidNet. Two applications were received; one was disqualified as it was received after the submittal deadline. The remaining proposal was found to meet the needs and requirements identified in the RFP.
Youth education is a key component in creating and sustaining community environmental awareness and conservation efforts. The contract will continue classroom presentations in the Ann Arbor public and private schools to enhance state curriculum requirements and support teacher and custodial staff efforts with specific environmental education programs related to City of Ann Arbor environmental priorities.
The contract calls for the delivery of 99 solid waste related workshops per year in Ann Arbor Classroom and 11 stormwater workshops in Dexter 2nd Grade classrooms to protect the City’s drinking water source at Barton Pond. The demand for the Ann Arbor programs has consistently exceeded the number of programs that the City has been able to offer, necessitating the use of a lottery system to select the classes to participate in the program. With 238 requests this past academic year, the City was able to fulfill only 41.6% of these requests.
The objectives of this contract are to provide environmental education presentations to a minimum of 250 classrooms each year in Ann Arbor and Dexter (specifically Grade 2 classrooms) for required Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Stormwater education and to provide thirty-five (35) Custodial/Staff Presentations annually to Ann Arbor Public Schools on Recycling and Zero Waste Methods to support the State Certified Green School Initiatives, with one presentation per school, per academic year. The contractor will also develop strategies and printed materials in response to specific requests from the City to increase resource protection and conservation awareness in the schools and at home.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
As a result of the expanded service provisions compared to past years, the proposed spending authority will be $89,316.00 for year one of the contract, and $91,995.00 in year two and $94,755.00 in year three of the potential two-year extension, if approved. This will be funded from the approved Solid Waste Operations and Maintenance budget (95%) and the Water System Fund (5%) for FY16, and the proposed Solid Waste Operating Budget and Water System Fund Operating Budget for FY17 and FY18 if approved during subsequent budget processes.
Sustainability Framework
The work completed under this contract furthers the Engaged Community and Active Living and Learning goals of the City’s Sustainability Framework.
Staff
Prepared by: Christina Gomes, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Coordinator, Systems Planning Unit
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City began offering recycling education in 1982;
Whereas, The In-School Recycling Education program that has been in place has effectively provided education opportunities for both the Ann Arbor and Dexter (2nd Grade only) schools and for residents;
Whereas, Adding custodial staff/teacher training to the In-School Recycling Education program and providing additional opportunities for In-School Recycling Education is requested to meet the needs of the program participants;
Whereas, The Ecology Center, Inc. has been selected to provide these services based on their work plan and fees in response to RFP (Request for Proposal) No. 923;
Whereas, The Ecology Center, complies with the City’s non-discrimination and Living Wage Ordinances; and
Whereas, Funding for this work is included in the approved the FY 16 Operation Budget of the Public Services Area Solid Waste Fund (95%) and Water Supply System Fund (5%), and will be available for FY17 and FY18 if approved during subsequent budget processes;
RESOLVED, That a one-year contract in the amount of $89,316.00 be awarded to The Ecology Center, Inc. for In-School Recycling Education, with an option for a two-year contract extension in the amount of $91,995.00 for the first year of the extended contract and $94,755.00 for the second year of the extended contract, subject to the availability of funding in each of those years;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the agreement for services after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution, including the authority to approve the two-year contract extension.